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MEET NORM BENNING, #6

HE'S GOT METAL IN HIS VEINS

Norm “never lifts,” which (in NASCAR circles) means he buries the accelerator and never lets up. For Norm, it’s true both on and off the track. His storied career has earned national accolades, a very loyal national fan base and a few well-earned nicknames including the “Eldora darling,” the “ultimate underdog” and NASCAR’s “blue collar working man.” As legendary NASCAR driver Tony Stewart said it, “Norm Benning represents what Americans love about NASCAR: old fashioned hard work, tenacity and perseverance.”

-Fox Sports

-Tony Stewart

"Benning is somewhat iconic as a never-give-up, see-ya-next-week competitor."

-Mike Calinoff

PopularSpeed.com

"Benning represents the fans, and he represents the work ethic that brought the drivers and crews where they are today."

-Jason Remillard

The Republican

"There was something about the grit and determination Benning showed in denying Greenfield over the final laps of that last-chance qualifier that encapsulated his career."

-David Caraviello

NASCAR.com

"The icing on the cake had to be the last chance qualifier when ARCA veteran Norm Benning drove the wheels (and right side) off his truck to make the race. If you didn’t see it you missed out on some of the most exciting racing thus far in any NASCAR series this season."

-Rob Fisher

Editor, Circletrack.com

STEEL CITY NATIVE

ELDORA DARLING

NASCAR...

TONY STEWART TALKS NORM

NORM ROCKS ELDORA

“I look forward to wrapping my truck with a brand that exists today just because it was bold enough to stay in the game. When we cross the finish line, there’ll be two unlikely winners shining on the national stage. That’s what NASCAR fans really want.”

-AN EARLY START-

Hailing from Pittsburgh PA, Norm began his career at Heidelberg Raceway when he was just 15, three years younger than the required age, but an eager-to-race Norm faked his age to compete in the Figure Eight Division where he went on to win a championship.

-FINDING NOTORIETY-

Later Norm would move to dirt track racing and at one point had won one-third of the races he entered. As a test driver for Goodyear tires, he set a fast time at the Pennsboro Speedway. After a brief time in the NASCAR Modfied series and NASCAR Winston Cup series, Norm moved to the ARCA supercar series where he raced with the nation’s best and found notoriety notching 32 top 10 finishes, and seven times finished in the top ten of ARCA touring series point standings. Norm moved from ARCA to NASCAR Camping World Truck series where he rose to even greater fame.

-THE ELDORA DARLING-

In 2013, live streamed in front of viewers from three continents, Norm fought his way into a sensational win at Eldora Speedway — to massive delight and excitement. For 12 hours following the race, the words “Norm Benning” were the most typed on the internet worldwide. It earned him the national spotlight and the love and respect of fans and drivers everywhere.

-FAME DOESN’T MAKE EASY-

Unfortunately, fame doesn’t buy tires and performance engines. Norm sustained a major blow when his sponsor, SOBE Drinks, was bought out by PepsiCo which declined to continue the funding. It would have driven many off the track, but not Norm. While there was no getting around the fact that losing SOBE’s partnership would severely limit his ability to be competitive, Norm made the decision to do whatever was necessary to stay in the race while searching for a sponsor whose story and values are similar to his own. His search continues.

-STAYING THE COURSE-

In the meantime, Norm is the owner, driver and mechanic. He puts in 15 hours a day, every day, and has managed to accomplish things no other driver has on a small budget. In 2013, he finished the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the top twenty, securing a guaranteed starting position at Daytona 2014 — ahead of more than 50 well-sponsored teams. And he did it again in 2015.

The subject of a 2016 FoxSports mini documentary, Norm is known world-wide for his grit and determination, and for coining the oft-repeated hashtag, #NeverLift. His truck is featured in the Eldora Speedway museum and his helmet is featured in the NASCAR hall of fame museum in Charlotte, NC. NASCAR fans continue to cheer for Norm, and anxiously await their favorite underdog’s ultimate victory.

NEWS & UPDATES

THE LATEST

January 18, 2017: Norm heads to North Carolina to prepare truck for Daytona.

January 2016: Norm is inducted into the Pittsburgh Circle Track Hall of Fame!